Why We Charge for Real Estate Crawl Space Inspections
Introduction
Real Estate Inspections
KEEPING DEALS MOVING WITH CLEAR, HONEST INSPECTIONS
I get a lot of calls from realtors. House for sale, house being bought, whatever the situation is. The home inspection came back and there are crawl space issues. Now everyone needs to know what it's going to take to fix it and get the deal closed.
That's where I come in.
When I do real estate inspections, I work off the home inspection report. The realtor sends it to me, I look at what the inspector flagged, and I put together a repair plan based on passing that inspection. We're doing what's needed to satisfy the report and move the deal forward. No upselling. No extras unless you want them.
But here's the thing - I don't do free inspections for realtors anymore. I charge $250. And there's a good reason for that.
How We Handle Real Estate Inspections
Real estate inspections are different from regular crawl space jobs. You're working with a timeline. You've got buyers, sellers, mortgage companies, and closing dates. Everyone needs clear answers fast.
So when a realtor calls, I ask for the home inspection report. That report tells me exactly what needs to be addressed. I'll go under the house, document everything, and write up a quote that's tailored to pass that specific inspection. This is what needs to be fixed. This is what it costs. Clean and simple.
If there's no home inspection yet, I document what I find and we go from there. Either way, you get a detailed inspection report with photos and video. The quote is broken down a la carte. These items fix the inspection report. These items are extra if you want to go further. No confusion about what's required and what's not.
It's straightforward. And that's what realtors need when they're trying to keep a deal moving.
What the $250 Inspection Includes
When you pay for a real estate inspection, here's what you're getting.
I spend several hours at the property. I'm crawling under the house, checking everything the home inspector flagged, looking for anything else that might cause problems down the road. I take detailed photos and video of what I'm seeing. Then I write up a full inspection report that breaks down exactly what needs to happen.
The quote is itemized. You know what each repair costs and why it's needed. If something is required to pass the home inspection, I label it that way. If something is extra but worth considering, I label it that way too. You're not guessing what you're paying for.
It's the same thing you'd pay a home inspector to do, except I'm crawl space specific. I know what I'm looking at. I know how to fix it. And I know how to explain it in a way that keeps the deal moving forward.
Why We Changed Our Policy
I've done a lot of free inspections for realtors over the years. And I've also done a lot of wasteful driving.
I'd get a call, drive out to a property, spend hours documenting everything, write up a detailed report, and then never hear back. The deal fell through. They went with someone cheaper. Or they were just calling every contractor in town to see who'd show up for free.
That's not fair to me, and honestly, it's not fair to the realtors who are serious about getting the work done either. When inspections are free, there's no commitment. No reason for anyone to take it seriously.
So I changed the policy. I charge $250 for real estate inspections now. It covers my time. It makes sure we're both serious. And it means I'm showing up ready to give you real answers, not just a ballpark guess to get you off the phone.
How This Benefits Realtors
Here's what this policy does for you as a realtor.
You're not wondering if I'm going to show up. You're not waiting to see if I'm serious about the work. You paid for the inspection, so you know I'm committed. You get a thorough report that you can hand to your clients, and everyone knows exactly where they stand.
It also means you're working with someone who does this full time. I'm not treating your deal like it's optional. I'm treating it like what it is - a transaction that needs to close, and crawl space issues shouldn't be the thing that holds it up.
You get clear documentation. You get an itemized quote. You get answers fast. And you don't have to wonder if the guy you called is actually going to follow through.
The Process Explained
If you've already got a home inspection report, send it to me. I'll base my inspection and quote off what that report says needs to be fixed. We're focused on passing the inspection and getting the deal done. Nothing more, nothing less.
If there's no inspection report yet, I'll document what I find and we'll work from there. Either way, you get a clean breakdown. This is what's required. This is what's recommended. This is what it costs.
The goal is simple - give you clear information so the deal can keep moving. No surprises. No confusion. Just honest answers about what needs to happen under that house.
What Realtors Should Know
Crawl space issues can kill a deal fast if they're not handled right. But they don't have to.
When you're choosing a contractor for real estate work, you want someone who understands the timeline. Someone who's done this before and knows how to work with inspectors, buyers, and sellers. Someone who shows up and follows through.
Ask questions. How long will the work take? What exactly are you fixing? Can you break down the costs? Do you have experience with real estate transactions?
A good crawl space contractor will give you straight answers. They'll work with you, not against you. And they won't disappear when things get busy.
Let's Work Together
If you're a realtor dealing with crawl space issues on a property, reach out. I'm happy to talk through your situation and explain how we can help.
The $250 inspection fee is fair. It covers my time and gets you a thorough, professional report that keeps your deal moving forward. No games. No surprises. Just clear answers and quality work.
You can call or text me directly. Let's get this handled so you can get to closing.
